Prosthetic brassiere for use after surgical breast removal

ABSTRACT

A prosthetic brassiere for use after surgical removal of one or both breasts comprising a torso encircling member, a pair of breast cups in said member, each cup including a fabric liner conforming to the shape of said cup and adhered to said cup on the periphery thereof, the space between said cup and said liner defining a first pocket for holding breast simulating means, a first inverted V-seam across the exterior of each cup, a second inverted V-seam across a portion of said liner, said first and second seams being superposed when said liner is pressed against the interior of said cup, a vertical seam separating said cups, a first slit in said liner for insertion of said breast simulating means, said first slit being an extension of the line of said second seam, and shoulder straps attached to said cups.

United States Patent Mar. 28, 1972 Bernfeld [54] PROSTHETIC BRASSIERE FOR USE AFTER SURGICAL BREAST REMOVAL [72] Inventor: Isabel M. Bernfeld, Allendale, NJ. [73] Assignee: The Berger Brothers Company, New

Haven, Conn.

[22] Filed: Apr. 23, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 31,282

[52] U.S.Cl ..3/36, 128/478 [51] Int. Cl ..A61f l/00,A4lc 3/10 [58] Field of Search ..3/36; 128/462,47848l [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,567,732 9/1951 Rosenthal 128/478 2,826,202 3/1958 Star .128/462 2,070,369 2/1937 Miller ..3/36 2,066,503 1/1937 Wiggers ..3/36

PORElGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Primary Examiner-Richard A. Gaudet Assistant Examiner-Ronald L. Frinks Attorney-Delio and Montgomery 57 ABSTRACT pressed against the interior of said cup, a vertical seam separating said cups,-a first slit in said liner for insertion of said breast simulating means, said first slit being an extension of ithe line of said second seam, and shoulder straps attached to said cups.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Netherlands ..3/36

Patented March 28, 1972 3,651,522

2 Sheets-Shea; l

1N VENTOR Patented March 28, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet-B INVENTOR Isa\: e\ V\. Banqgeld This invention relates to prosthetic brassieres, particularly to such brassieres in which the breast simulating means is an inflatable bladder.

When one or both breasts are surgically removed it becomes desirable to simulate the natural bustline by a prosthetic device. While it is known to enhance the bustline by the use of inflatable bladders which are insertable into an existing brassiere or which are manufactured as part of a brassiere, such bladders or brassieres normally cannot be used where one or both breasts have been surgically removed since much of the supporting tissue and musculature is removed with the breast. In addition, existing brassieres do not sufficiently hide the unsightly scar tissue which often remains in and around the area of the surgery. Furthermore, existing commercially available brassieres do not provide adaptability to simulation of either a right or a left breast, or both breasts, with the consequence that such brassieres must be carefully tailored to individual requirementswith the attendant substantially increased expense.

An object therefore of the present invention is to provide a new and improved brassiere especially adapted for prosthetic uses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and imroved brassiere having means for insertion of breast simulating means in either or both cups of the brassiere, thus providing adaptability for use whether one or both breasts have been surgically removed.

Yet another object is to provide a new and improved prosthetic brassiere which not only hides scar tissue remaining after surgical removal of a breast, but also resists tendency to move up on the torso of the wearer, this being the normal consequence in the environment of the removed breast due to loss of supporting tissue.

The invention accordingly comprises an article of manufacture possessing the features, properties, construction, and the relation of elements exemplified in the article hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

In summary, the prosthetic brassiere of the invention comprises a torso encircling member, a pair of breastcups in said member, each cup including a fabric liner conforming to the shape of said cup and adhered to said cup on the periphery thereof, the space between said cup and said liner defining a first pocket for holding breast simulating means, a first inverted V-seam across the exterior of each cup, a second inverted V-seam across a portion of; said liner, said first and second seams being superposed when said liner is pressed against the interior of said cup, a vertical seam separating said cups, a first slit in said liner for insertion of said breast simulating means, said first slit being an extension of the line of said second seam, and shoulder straps attached to said cups.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 1

F IG. 1 is a frontal perspective 'view of a brassiere of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a brassiere of the invention, with certain portions broken away to show underlying structure;

FIG. 3 is a curvilinear sectional view taken along line 33 ofFIG.1;and

FIG. 4 is a linear sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

With respect to FIG. 1, there is shown frontally a brassiere of the invention having a torso encircling member 11 in which there is constructed a pair of breast receiving cups shown generally as 13 and 14. The torso encircling member 11 is normally constructed of a resilient fabric such as spandex. Shoulder straps 15 and 16 are fabricated as continuous extensions of cups 13 and 14, the upper edges of the cups gradually converging to form the straps. The gradual convergence provides more fabric above the area of the breast than is conventional in order to hide the scar tissue resulting from breast removal and also to enhance the snugness of the fit of the brassiere on the torso and to cooperate with the design of the cups to prevent the brassiere from moving vertically out of position. For these purposes also, straps l5 and 16 are of sufficientcontinuous length to extend over the shoulders of the wearer and are fastenedrwith adjustable fasteners 32 and 33 behind the back of the wearer rather than in front as has been conventional.

A vertical seam 17 separates cups l3 and 14 and cooperates in anchoring an inner lining l8 and 19 for each of the cups, as best shown in FIG. 2. The inner fabric linings l8 and 19 are adhered to the periphery of cups l3 and 14, preferably by stitching but also by heat sealing according to recently developed manufacturing methods. The same manufacturing alternatives apply to the adherence of the other seams of the brassiere. The peripheries of cups I3 and 14 are defined by outer top seamed edges 37 and 38 and inner top seamed edges 20 and 23, the continuous line defined by edges 20 and 23 forming a V-seam. Across the exteriors of the cups are inverted first V-seams 21 and 22, and in the fabric liners l8 and 19 are second inverted V-seams 24 and 25. An important feature of the invention is that when the fabric liners of each cup are pressed against the interior of the cups, the first and second inverted V-seams, such as seams 22 and 24, become superposed with the result that should either or both cups encompass a normal breast, the second inverted V-seam would not be observable as a protrusion on the surface of the cup.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower edge or periphery 35 and 36 of the cups are .I-seams, the longer arms of which meet each other at vertical seam 17. The shorter arms of the .I-seams each meet the outer top edges 37 and 38 and the first inverted V-seams 21 and 22 meet the cor responding J-seams at the crossbars thereof at an angle which is approximately The edges and seams of each cup, including the seams of the liners, cooperate to provide a suitable fit and effective support, and also to prevent vertical movement of the brassiere on the torso.

It will be observed from the drawings, especially in the discussion to follow concerning FIGS. 3 and 4, that the space between the liners 18 and 19 and the corresponding exterior surfaces of cups 13 and 14 define pockets for receiving and holding breast simulating means, such as pads or bladders. For insertion ofbreast simulating means there is provided in each liner slits 26 and 27, respectively defined by free liner edges 28 and 30, and 29 and 31. Preferably, the free edges overlap slightly so as to form flaps and to insulate the torso of the wearer against contact with the breast simulating means. As best shown in FIG.'2, free edges 28 and 29 are extensions of second inverted V-seams 24 and 25. As also shown in FIG. 2, second pockets between the liners and exteriors of each cup are formed outwardly of second slits 40 and 41, respectively defined by free liner edges 42 and 44, and 41 and 43. It will also be noted that free edge 42 overlaps free edge 44 and free edge 43 overlaps free edge 41 to define flaps for insulating the torso of the wearer against contact with breast simulating means. The second pockets may be located on either side of vertical seam 17 but preferably are located outwardly of liners I8 and 19, as shown in FIG. 2, to hold valve stems conventionally mounted on inflatable breast simulating means and also to provide convenient access to such valve stems in order to inflate or deflate such breast simulating means.

The torso encircling member 11 is provided with a buckle 34 which is conventionally provided with books.

FIG. 3 shows the pocket 50 provided by the space between liner l8 and the outer fabric 48 of cup 14 in two aspects. In the first aspect (solid lines), no breast simulating means is employed and inner fabric 18 and outer cup fabric 48 substantially overlay each other tor form a cup for receiving a natural breast. In the second aspect (broken lines), breast simulating means 52 is shown inserted in pocket 50. It should be emphasized that in the first aspect, the inverted V-seams 22 and 24 are in substantial superposition such that no protrusion of seam 24 is observable on the surface of the cup.

FIG. 4 illustrates the position of first slits 26 and 40 in fabric liner 18 relative to outer fabric 48 of cup 14. From this figure the overlap afforded by free edges 42 and 44, and free edges 28 and 30, is apparent.

Normally, the outer cup fabric 48 will be a dressy material such as satin or silk and the inner fabric liners l8 and 19 will comprise a soft material such as cotton, but these materials may be synthetic, wholly or in part. Multi-ply material such as fleeced back satin or the like may also be employed. Such backing lends a sufficient degree of stiffness to enhance the support afforded by the cups but if desired, wire reinforcement members may be inserted. Also, if desired, inner fabric liners l8 and 19 may be partially or totally removed by providing relatively loose stitching or other fastening means along the periphery thereof. For enhancement of fit, this procedure may in some instances be preferable to retaining the fabric liner in the cups.

A further feature of the brassiere of the invention is that the cups each extend a predetermined distance laterally of the vertical seam so as to encompass portions of the sides of a torso fitted with the brassiere. This design enhances the prosthetic value of the brassiere since it permits use of breast simulating means which extend somewhat around the side of a torso so as to fill out the area in which supporting tissue has been removed along with the breast. Absent this lateral oblongation of the breast simulating means, there would be little to prevent movement of the brassiere on the torso.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above article without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. I

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Iclaim:

l. A prosthetic brassiere for use after surgical removal of one or both breasts comprising:

a torso encircling member,

a pair of breast cups in said member, each cup including a fabric liner conforming to the shape of said cup and adhered to said cup on the periphery thereof, the space between said cup and said liner defining a first pocket for holding breast simulating means,

a first inverted V-seam across the exterior of each cup,

a second inverted V-seam across a portion of said liner, said first and second seams being superposed when said liner is pressed against the interior of said cup,

a vertical seam separating said cups,

a first slit in said liner for insertion of said breast simulating means, said first slit being an extension of the line of said second seam, shoulder straps attached at one end to said cups and terminating in a free end, said straps being of a length adapted to extend over the shoulders of the wearer of the brassiere and to be fastened to said torso encircling member behind said shoulders, and a portion of each of said cups extending a predetermined distance laterally of said vertical seam so as to encompass portions of the sides of a torso fitted with said brassiere.

2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said shoulder straps are converging extensions of the upper edges of said cups.

3. The brassiere of claim 1 including a pair of adjustable fasteners for said straps mounted near the extremities of said torso encircling member.

4. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein the lower edge of each cuhp forms a J-shaped seam, the longer arms of the J meet each or er at said vertical scam, the shorter arm of each J meets a corresponding upper edge of said cup outwardly of said straps, and each of said first inverted V-seams meets a corresponding J-seam at the crossbar thereof, the angle of said first V-seam to said J-seam being approximately a right angle.

5. The brassiere of claim 1 including a second slit in the liner of each of said cups defining a second pocket for holding a valve stem mounted on said breast simulating means, said slit also providing access to said valve stem.

6. The brassiere of claim 5 wherein said second slit is located near the outward end of each cup.

7. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein the edges of said first slit overlap to define a flap.

8. The brassiere of claim 5 wherein the edges of said second slit overlap to define a flap. 

1. A prosthetic brassiere for use after surgical removal of one or both breasts comprising: a torso encircling member, a pair of breast cups in said member, each cup including a fabric liner conforming to the shape of said cup and adhered to said cup on the periphery thereof, the space between said cup and said liner defining a first pocket for holding breast simulating means, a first inverted V-seam across the exterior of each cup, a second inverted V-seam across a portion of said liner, said first and second seams being superposed when said liner is pressed against the interior of said cup, a vertical seam separating said cups, a first slit in said liner for insertion of said breast simulating means, said first slit being an extension of the line of said second seam, shoulder straps attached at one end to said cups and terminating in a free end, said straps being of a length adapted to extend over the shoulders of the wearer of the brassiere and to be fastened to said torso encircling member behind said shoulders, and a portion of each of said cups extending a predetermined distance laterally of said vertical seam so as to encompass portions of the sides of a torso fitted with said brassiere.
 2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said shoulder straps are converging extensions of the upper edges of said cups.
 3. The brassiere of claim 1 including a pair of adjustable fasteners for said straps mounted near the extremities of said torso encircling member.
 4. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein the lower edge of each cup forms a J-shaped seam, the longer arms of the J meet each other at said vertical seam, the shorter arm of each J meets a corresponding upper edge of said cup outwardly of said straps, and each of said first inverted V-seams meets a corresponding J-seam at the cross-bar thereof, the angle of said first V-seam to said J-seam being approximately a right angle.
 5. The brassiere of claim 1 including a second slit in the liner of each of said cups defining a second pocket for holding a valve stem mounted on said breast simulating means, said slit also providing access to said valve stem.
 6. The brassiere of claim 5 wherein said second slit is located near the outward end of each cup.
 7. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein the edges of said first slit overlap to define a flap.
 8. The brassiere of claim 5 wherein the edges of said second slit overlap to define a flap. 